Norris: Return to racing will produce 'shock to the body'

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McLaren's Lando Norris is predicting a physical "shock to the body" for drivers when F1's 2020 season finally gets into gear.

Formula 1 has been on hold since early March following the onslaught of the global coronavirus pandemic and isn't set to resume - if conditions permit - before early July.

During the forced hiatus, drivers are keeping themselves fit and well with intense physical training programs.

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But Norris says the return to action after such a long break will equate to a veritable "shock" to the body.

"I’ve been focusing on the things I can focus on, which is my training, physically, trying to keep that up from pre-season testing, especially because when you go back into driving, it’s going to be a shock for the body," he said in an Instagram live video for Formula 1.

"To be able to go from doing nothing – not even testing or driving an F3 car or any car of any sort – it’s literally going from driving a road car, and I’ve not even done that that much, to jumping into one of the fastest cars in the world, pulling x amount of G-forces around the corner. It’s a big shock."

Norris believes even the fittest of drivers will feel the physical constraints.

"The body changes and gets used to driving a car," he added.

"You can do all the training you want at home (with) the neck exercises, but the movement when you jump in a Formula 1 car … you can’t replicate identically in training.

"It’s a shock to everyone’s body – you can be one of the fittest guys in Formula 1 or the world, but it’s still tough on the human body."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.